Magic Numbers - Shepherds Bush Empire, London - Tuesday 18th October 2005

So, the zillionth Magic Numbers gig of the year! Before that though, Arsenal were playing away at Sparta Prague, so we went to the pub near the venue to watch the game. After initially hearing at the weekend that Thierry Henry would not be back for this game, Monday's Evening Standard said that he was travelling with the squad. Tuesday afternoon brought the news that he would be on the bench! And, 15 minutes into the game, an injury to Reyes meant that he was unexpectedly on the pitch.

Given that Henry started the game 1 behind Ian Wright's Arsenal goals record, I was caught in two minds - did I want Henry to score and help us to 3 points, or to not score so that I could witness him equal and break the record. Well, after 5 minutes on the pitch, the argument was dead, he scored with a sublime flick with the outside of his boot, to equal the record.

Come 9:15, we left the pub with the game still at 1-0, to get into the venue for the Magic Numbers. I had just got in and got to the bar when I got a phone call - Henry had scored again to break the record. Double annoyance! Not at the game, and not even watching the record breaking goal on telly either!

The Magic Numbers were predictably good, tight, and happy. And that was the problem - I'd seen it so many times before, that much of the surprise had gone. What wowed the audience here, many of whom were seeing the band for the first time, was no longer exciting for me. The set included some new highlights that I'd not heard live before (the Chemical Brothers collaboration was fantastic), but through much of it, you could tell exactly what was going to happen next.

Maybe you can have too much of a good thing after all.